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Enjoy a small town romance-book giveaway, novel scene, & recipe from Shelia Stovall
Saturday, August 30, 2025 by Sally Jo Pitts
Categories: Books & Food / Recommended Books
Investigating Food Used in Novels
This month’s food scene and recipe comes from Shelia Stovall’s Every Life Filled with Purpose, book #3 in The Weldon Novels series. (Read on for book giveaway opportunity.)
Character Carson Williams is looking for a new beginning in the small town community of Weldon.
Here’s the Scene:
Carson sat in his black Hummer holding a pastry box. Why the owner of the diner thought he’d want a box of fried raspberry pies when he’d not been able to eat his lunch was a mystery to him, but it would have been impolite to refuse the gift.
His hands still trembled from the incident, so he opened the music app on his phone and selected his favorite playlist for meditation. With eyes closed, his thoughts wandered to the injured woman’s daughter. Why did she look so familiar? She was pretty, with her shoulder-length hair the same shade as his own. Something deep within him had stirred when she stared at him with those dark eyes filled with concern. There was a connection between them. Not an attraction, more like … He couldn’t come up with the right word, the right feeling.
Everything about today had been unusual. The older woman’s shocked expression and then … fear. She’d looked downright terrified. But why? Then there was the peculiar way her daughter couldn’t stop staring at him. Stop thinking.
Carson focused on the music and his breathing. Some time later, his stomach rumbled, and he smiled. Dot had been right when she’d said he’d be hungry later. He opened the pastry box, removed a pie, and bit into it. The raspberry filling was tangy and sweet, but what he really craved was company. Maybe, he’d stop by his neighbor’s house and visit with Roy and Ovaleta Mayhew. Ovaleta was always trying to feed him something as she loved to bake.
His elderly neighbors were some of his favorite people. The only thing he didn’t like about them was Ovaleta’s penchant for asking questions. However, the pies and cakes she plied him with were almost worth the aggravation. He shouldn’t mind her nosiness or her match-making schemes. After all, she’d been the one to send Sparky knocking on his door with a coconut cake. And he didn’t really have anything to hide, but he knew Ovaleta wouldn’t approve of his previous career. Carson took another bite of pie and moaned. Maybe he should just tell Ovaleta about his past and get it over with. Roy was always watching a sports channel. He might stumble across an old broadcast featuring him in a tournament.
Author Shelia Stovall shares this scrumptious recipe for fried raspberry pies— a specialty at Dot’s diner in Weldon.
Raspberry Fried Pies
For the recipe click here.
For more recipes featured by authors, click here:
More about Every Life Filled with Purpose:
Welcome to Weldon, Kentucky, where no one can keep a secret forever.
Imagine discovering a place where the locals treat you with warmth and welcome you like family. Carson Williams finds such a place when he visits his deceased mother’s hometown of Weldon. The atmosphere in the community creates a deep yearning in Carson, and he thinks Kentucky is the perfect place for a new beginning. Carson hopes the country life will lead to emotional healing from PTSD.
While Carson is having lunch at the local diner with Sparky Compton, a young doctor who’s captured his heart, Virginia Willoughby collapses. Sparky springs into action, but Carson struggles to maintain control of his emotions. Mrs. Willoughby’s daughter, Emma Baker, arrives, and the magnetic pull of Emma’s gaze confuses Carson. She reminds him of someone, but who? Later, Emma wonders why she can’t stop thinking about the mysterious stranger when her heart belongs to pastor Luke Davis.
But there are secrets in the small town of Weldon—and they will impact both Carson and Emma.
About the Author:
Shelia Stovall is an author, speaker, and the Director of a small-town library in southern Kentucky. She writes heartwarming, uplifting stories of hope that tug on readers’ heartstrings. Her novels address difficult topics, but she uses a combination of sensitivity, grace, and humor to keep readers engaged while her characters overcome and leave readers feeling hopeful for a better future.
Her first Weldon novel, Every Window Filled with Light, won the 2022 Angel Book Award in the contemporary women’s fiction category and was a double finalist for the Selah award. Her second Weldon novel, Every Day Filled with Hope, was a finalist for the Selah award and the Carol award in 2023.
Shelia and her husband, Michael, live on a farm, and she enjoys taking daily rambles to the creek with their four dogs. Spending time with family, especially her grandchildren, is her all-time favorite thing. The only hobby Shelia loves more than reading uplifting stories of hope is writing them.
Book Giveaway opportunity:
Share your favorite flavor of pie filling in the comments for a chance to win an autographed copy of Every Life Filled with Purpose. Offer good through September 7, 2025.
Comments
Cathy Savant From MO At 9/7/2025 5:38:22 PM
My favorite pie filling is coconut cream!Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Yum. Thanks for stopping by.Debbie From Tennessee At 9/4/2025 8:37:52 PM
My favorite pie is probably banana cream pie but I also love custard pie, Boston cream pie and so many others too.. Thanks so much.Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Creamy types sound wonderful!Teresa Warner From Ida, Michigan At 9/4/2025 5:59:58 PM
Strawberry rhubarb is my favorite!Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Another strawberry rhubarb! Thanks for sharing.Judy Haggett From Marlborough MA At 9/4/2025 2:26:20 PM
BlueberryReply by: Sally Jo Pitts
A classic.Kim Vizzini From Michigan At 9/4/2025 11:57:03 AM
Strawberry rhubarbReply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Yet another. Several have mentioned strawberry rhubarb as a favorite.Linda May From Chicago, Illinois At 9/3/2025 1:51:50 PM
I love Banana Creme Pie. Thanks for your great generosity.Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
You're making me hungry!Tammy Rash From Missouri At 9/2/2025 7:53:49 PM
Chocolate caramel with nutsReply by: Sally Jo Pitts
That sounds interesting for a filling.Judy Brown From Glasgow, KY At 9/2/2025 7:16:08 PM
Blueberry pie filling! ????Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Blueberry is a favorite of mine too.Nancy From Illinois At 9/1/2025 11:43:20 PM
My favorite pie filling is cherry I like the tanginess of the cherriesReply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Yes. Me too.Nicki Bishop From KY At 9/1/2025 11:34:22 AM
I love a fresh strawberry pie or baked strawberry rhubarb!Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Strawberry rhubarb sounds interesting!Joannie Sico From ME At 9/1/2025 12:27:57 AM
I love apple pie best, especially my mom's, however I do love chocolate mousse pie too(I just haven't had it in too long)!Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Both of those sound wonderful.Laurel Milam From ND At 9/1/2025 12:21:51 AM
My mom made a fantastic peach pie.Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Especially with a homemade flaky crust, right?Andrea Carroll From WY At 8/31/2025 9:59:21 PM
My favorite pie is blackberries from OR. YUMMY -- of course with ice cream.Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Of course!Miranda Summerset From GA At 8/31/2025 9:56:17 PM
Lemon meringue pie!Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Love it too.Dixie Neitzel From Tomah,WI At 8/31/2025 9:34:54 PM
I like strawberry rhubarb.Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Another person mentioned strawberry rhubarb--a filling you don't often hear of.Lynne From Kirksville Missouri At 8/31/2025 8:43:56 PM
My favorite pie would be Apple Pie! We lived in Kentucky for 12 years ! Before my husband decided to take a church in kirksville Missouri. Iam originally from MolineI.L..I met you in Lexington when you were there with Ann Gabhart!Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Shelia will love hearing from you. Thanks for stopping by my blog.Christi Chirpich From Albert Lea Mn. At 8/31/2025 7:45:45 PM
My favorite pie filling is strawberry rhubarb. They go together so well, just delicious. Thank you for the opportunity to be entered in the giveaway. Blessings, Christi ??Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Another vote for strawberry rhubarb!Mary Preston From QLD At 8/31/2025 5:20:44 PM
Mulberry is my favorite pie filling.Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Oh wow. I've never had mulberry.Jennifer Hallmark From AL At 8/31/2025 5:02:13 PM
Blackberry cobbler ??Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
One of my favorites.Shelia Stovall From KY At 8/31/2025 4:51:05 PM
I've never heard of Razzleberry, so I might have to add that in a future novel. I love blackerry, cranberry, tart cherries, and peaches. I've never had a pear filling but I have 2 pear trees. Does anyone have a recipie for pear filling? Thank you to everyone for commenting .Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
There is a delicious Ginger Glazed Cinnamon Pear Muffin recipe included in my Investigatin' Recipes section you might want to try, Shelia.LeAnn From Fort Worth, TX At 8/31/2025 3:49:23 PM
Definitely chocolate!Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Sounds tempting.Patricia Brooks From Central Illinois At 8/31/2025 3:27:42 PM
I love pumpkin pieReply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Yes. And it is getting to be that time of year!Elizabeth From Georgia At 8/31/2025 3:03:29 PM
Strawberry. ??Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
They make a dandy filling.J From At 8/31/2025 3:00:29 PM
Chocolate coconut ??Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
That sounds like an amazing combination.Karen Hackney From Harrisburg, PA At 8/31/2025 1:05:13 PM
I love coconut meringue pieReply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Yum!jackie morris From myrtle creek At 8/31/2025 12:54:16 PM
my favorite is Blackberry pie filling-here in Oregon they grow wild-and right now is the time to pick them-Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
I love to be there to go berry picking!Jeanne Kennedy From Ohio At 8/31/2025 12:27:05 PM
My favorite pie filling is strawberry. Thank you for the chance.Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Hard to go wrong with strawberry.Karen From California At 8/31/2025 12:18:46 PM
I love peach pie!Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
I love peaches when they are ripe and juicy.Lisa Wright From Arizona At 8/31/2025 11:50:43 AM
cherry fillingReply by: Sally Jo Pitts
A classic.Rebecca Ackerman From Wimberley, Texas At 8/31/2025 11:32:13 AM
Lemon is my favorite pie filling!Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
I think that would be a great flavor to try in Shelia's recipe.Annie From Poolesville MD At 8/31/2025 10:58:47 AM
I love apple filling the most, but blueberry and cherry are close behind!Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
They all sound good.Cheryll Stawicki From Oregon, IL At 8/31/2025 10:54:50 AM
With regards to my favorite pie filling, I would say it is a tie between French silk and apple.Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Oh my. Chocolaty French silk is making my mouth water.Linda Hense From OR At 8/31/2025 10:21:23 AM
I love a tart cherry filling! Also, adore mincemeat during the holidays.Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Mincemeat was a standard that my grandmother made for Thanksgiving that few are aware of any more.Miss Lee H From Northeast Ohio At 8/31/2025 9:49:15 AM
Hi Sally Jo, Thank you for the contest opportunity! My favorite fruit pie filling is blueberry, and my favorite cream pie filling is chocolate.Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Those sound good. Thanks for stopping by.Delores Liesner From WI At 8/31/2025 9:09:39 AM
Peaches or pears with cream cheese sauce on topReply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Those sound delightful.Debra Jenkins From Chickamauga GA At 8/31/2025 8:55:43 AM
I love fried pies & totally enjoyed reading the Weldon Series.Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Great series. Thanks for stopping by.Rita Koehnen From OR At 8/31/2025 8:47:46 AM
Peanut Butter PieReply by: Sally Jo Pitts
One of my favorites too.Janis From Ohio At 8/31/2025 8:46:50 AM
I love “razzleberry”, a combination of blueberry, raspberry and blackberry. But pie is pie and there are few I would turn down!Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Love this. Razzleberry is a new word for me.Cindy Cyr Merrill From Lebanon ME At 8/31/2025 8:26:30 AM
My favorite pie filling is BlackberryReply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Nice. Thanks for sharing.tony cannova From AL At 8/31/2025 8:15:29 AM
appleReply by: Sally Jo Pitts
A nice tradition.Lori r From OH At 8/31/2025 7:31:20 AM
My favorite is cherry.Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Great choice!Linda Gawthrop From PA At 8/31/2025 6:53:53 AM
Tend to change with what’s in season so in summer I’d choose fresh peaches but love pecan pie in cooler months! ??Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Those sound like yummy choices.Darlene Owen From USA At 8/31/2025 6:07:13 AM
Lemon is my favorite pie fillingReply by: Sally Jo Pitts
Nice one.Diana Hardt From California At 8/31/2025 5:30:16 AM
My favorite is apple pie.Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
A popular choice.Stephanie From Florida At 8/31/2025 4:11:04 AM
I love apple filling the most! ??Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
A good choice. Thanks for stopping by.Jill Mc From Adolphus Kentucky At 8/30/2025 2:16:22 PM
if you have not read the Welden series, you should I enjoyed each book. I can’t wait to read what Sheila Stovall shares with us next!Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts
I agree. I've loved visiting Weldon and nearby Sassy Creek in her novels.
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